U.S. patent application number 15/518947 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-24 for absorbent article with accessible pocket.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nicole J. Barna, Nancy E. Dawson, Jeffrey A. DeBroux, John T. Hahn, Eric D. Johnson, Sara Stabelfeldt, Paul A. Weber, Georgia L. Zehner.
Application Number | 20170239103 15/518947 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55858101 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170239103 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weber; Paul A. ; et
al. |
August 24, 2017 |
ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH ACCESSIBLE POCKET
Abstract
An absorbent article (10) can include a pocket (64) disposed in
the front waist region 12. The pocket (64) can include a first side
edge (70), a second side edge (72), an upper lateral edge (74), and
a lower lateral edge (76). The pocket (64) can be closed with
respect to the absorbent assembly (36) at least at the first side
edge (70) and the second side edge (72) and can be open with
respect to the absorbent assembly (36) at least at the lower
lateral edge (76). The pocket (64) can be configured such that it
has improved accessibility for a caregiver.
Inventors: |
Weber; Paul A.; (Neenah,
WI) ; Stabelfeldt; Sara; (Appleton, WI) ;
Barna; Nicole J.; (Appleton, WI) ; Dawson; Nancy
E.; (Appleton, WI) ; DeBroux; Jeffrey A.;
(Appleton, WI) ; Hahn; John T.; (Merrill, WI)
; Johnson; Eric D.; (Larsen, WI) ; Zehner; Georgia
L.; (Larsen, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. |
Neenah |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55858101 |
Appl. No.: |
15/518947 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
October 31, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/063485 |
371 Date: |
April 13, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 13/49011 20130101;
A61F 13/84 20130101; A61F 13/49 20130101; A61F 13/58 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61F 13/49 20060101
A61F013/49; A61F 13/84 20060101 A61F013/84; A61F 13/58 20060101
A61F013/58 |
Claims
1. An absorbent article including a front waist region including a
front waist edge, a rear waist region including a rear waist edge,
and a crotch region, the absorbent article further including a
longitudinal axis and a lateral axis defining a horizontal plane
when the absorbent article is in a stretched, laid flat
configuration, the absorbent article comprising: an absorbent
assembly including a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an
absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer
cover, the outer cover including a body facing surface and a
garment facing surface; and a pocket disposed in the front waist
region, the pocket including a pocket longitudinal axis, a first
side edge, a second side edge opposite from the first side edge, an
upper lateral edge, a lower lateral edge, and a bottom surface, the
pocket being closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at the
first side edge, the second side edge, and the upper lateral edge,
the pocket being open with respect to the bottom surface at the
lower lateral edge such that when the absorbent article is in the
stretched, laid flat configuration, a vertical gap is provided
between the lower lateral edge and the bottom surface of the pocket
at the pocket longitudinal axis, the vertical gap providing access
to the pocket.
2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the pocket is formed
from a material, the material being gathered prior to attaching the
material to the absorbent assembly to provide the vertical gap.
3. An absorbent article including a front waist region including a
front waist edge, a rear waist region including a rear waist edge,
and a crotch region, the absorbent article further including a
longitudinal axis and a lateral axis defining a horizontal plane
when the absorbent article is in a stretched, laid flat
configuration, the absorbent article comprising: an absorbent
assembly including a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an
absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer
cover, the outer cover including a body facing surface and a
garment facing surface; and a pocket disposed in the front waist
region, the pocket including a pocket longitudinal axis, a first
side edge, a second side edge opposite from the first side edge, an
upper lateral edge, and a lower lateral edge, the pocket being
closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at the first side
edge, the second side edge, and the upper lateral edge, the pocket
being open with respect to the outer cover at the lower lateral
edge, wherein a portion of the outer cover forms a bottom surface
of the pocket, the bottom surface of the pocket being elastic near
the lower lateral edge of the pocket such that when the absorbent
article changes from the stretched, laid flat configuration to a
relaxed configuration, the bottom surface of the pocket elastically
retracts to provide a separation between the lower lateral edge and
the bottom surface of the pocket at the longitudinal axis of the
pocket, the separation providing access to the pocket.
4. The absorbent article of claim 3, wherein an elastic material is
coupled to the portion of the outer cover forming the bottom
surface of the pocket.
5. The absorbent article of claim 4, wherein the outer cover
includes an outer layer and an inner layer, and wherein the elastic
material is disposed between the outer layer and the inner
layer.
6. The absorbent article of claim 3, wherein when the absorbent
article is in the stretched, laid flat configuration a vertical gap
is present between the lower lateral edge of the pocket and the
bottom surface of the pocket at the longitudinal axis of the
pocket, the vertical gap providing access to the pocket.
7. The absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising a fastening
system, the fastening system including at least one back fastener
in the rear waist region and at least one front fastener in the
front waist region, the fastening system configured to provide a
fastened configuration of the absorbent article when the fastening
system is engaged and an unfastened configuration of the absorbent
article when the fastening system is not engaged, wherein the
vertical gap is provided when the absorbent article changes from
the fastened configuration to the unfastened configuration after
the fastening system is disengaged.
8. The absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising a fastening
system, the fastening system including at least one back fastener
in the rear waist region and at least one front fastener in the
front waist region, the fastening system configured to provide a
fastened configuration of the absorbent article when the fastening
system is engaged and an unfastened configuration of the absorbent
article when the fastening system is not engaged, wherein the
vertical gap is present prior to the fastening system being engaged
in a fastened configuration for a first time, and wherein the
vertical gap increases when the absorbent article changes from the
fastened configuration to the unfastened configuration after the
fastening system is disengaged for a first time.
9. The absorbent article of claim 3, further comprising a fastening
system, the fastening system including at least one back fastener
in the rear waist region and at least one front fastener in the
front waist region, the fastening system configured to provide a
fastened configuration of the absorbent article when the fastening
system is engaged and an unfastened configuration of the absorbent
article when the fastening system is not engaged, wherein a
vertical gap is provided between the lower lateral edge and the
bottom surface of the pocket at the pocket longitudinal axis upon
the absorbent article changing from the fastened configuration to
the unfastened configuration after the fastening system is
disengaged for a first time, the vertical gap providing access to
the pocket when the absorbent article is in the stretched, laid
flat configuration.
10. The absorbent article of claim 7, wherein the pocket is formed
from a material, the material being extensible and not elastic.
11. The absorbent article of claim 7, wherein the pocket is formed
from a material, the material being in a pleated configuration.
12. An absorbent article including a front waist region including a
front waist edge, a rear waist region including a rear waist edge,
and a crotch region, the absorbent article further including a
longitudinal axis and a lateral axis defining a horizontal plane
when the absorbent article is in a stretched, laid flat
configuration, the absorbent article comprising: an absorbent
assembly including a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an
absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer
cover, the outer cover including a body facing surface and a
garment facing surface; and a pocket disposed in the front waist
region and being formed from a material, the pocket including a
first side edge, a second side edge opposite from the first side
edge, an upper lateral edge, and a lower lateral edge, the pocket
being closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at least at the
first side edge and the second side edge, the pocket being open
with respect to the absorbent assembly at the lower lateral edge,
the pocket including a projection in a central region of the pocket
near the lower lateral edge, the projection either being coupled to
the material forming the pocket or being integral to the material
forming the pocket, the projection providing access to the
pocket.
13. An absorbent article including a front waist region including a
front waist edge, a rear waist region including a rear waist edge,
and a crotch region, the absorbent article further including a
longitudinal axis and a lateral axis defining a horizontal plane
when the absorbent article is in a stretched, laid flat
configuration, the absorbent article comprising: an absorbent
assembly including a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an
absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer
cover, the outer cover including a body facing surface and a
garment facing surface; and a pocket disposed in the front waist
region, the pocket being formed from a material, the pocket
including a first side edge, a second side edge opposite from the
first side edge, an upper lateral edge, and a lower lateral edge,
the pocket being closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at
least at the first side edge and the second side edge, the pocket
being open with respect to the absorbent assembly at the lower
lateral edge, the pocket including a projection coupled to the
material forming the pocket, the projection providing access to the
pocket.
14. The absorbent article of claim 12, wherein the projection is
integral to the material forming the pocket.
15. The absorbent article of claim 12, wherein the upper lateral
edge includes a notch, the notch having a shape that nests with a
shape of the projection.
16. The absorbent article of claim 12, wherein the projection is
coupled to the material forming the pocket.
17. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the projection
extends from the upper lateral edge to at least the lower lateral
edge of the pocket.
18. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the projection
includes a bonded portion attached to the material forming the
pocket and a non-bonded portion not attached to the material
forming the pocket.
19. The absorbent article of claim 18, wherein the non-bonded
portion is disposed between the upper lateral edge and the lower
lateral edge of the pocket.
20. The absorbent article of claim 18, wherein at least a portion
of the non-bonded portion is disposed between the lower lateral
edge of the pocket and the lateral axis of the absorbent
article.
21. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the projection
includes a bottom edge, the projection configured such that the
bottom edge is closer to the lateral axis than is the lower lateral
edge of the pocket.
22. The absorbent article of claim 12, wherein the projection
includes a bottom edge, the bottom edge being substantially aligned
with the lower lateral edge of the pocket.
23. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the projection is
disposed in a central region of the pocket.
24. The absorbent article of claim 12, wherein the pocket is closed
with respect to the absorbent assembly at the upper lateral
edge.
25. The absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising a
fastening system, the fastening system including at least one back
fastener in the rear waist region and at least one front fastener
in the front waist region, wherein the pocket is formed from a
material, the material forming the front fastener.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] When absorbent articles become soiled with exudates and are
changed from the wearer, it is common for the lower abdomen and/or
crotch region of the wearer to become soiled by urine, fecal
matter, and/or other bodily discharges. Prior to replacing the
soiled absorbent article and replacing it with a new, clean
absorbent article, the skin of the wearer is cleansed. This
cleaning of the skin can be done in a variety of ways and using a
variety of different materials, but caregivers commonly use wet
wipes or cloths to clean the wearer's skin. In some circumstances,
caregivers may choose to use a clean portion of an inner layer of
the soiled absorbent article to provide a first wipe to cleanse the
wearer's skin in the lower abdomen or crotch region prior to using
wet wipes, cloths, or tissues.
[0003] To perform this initial wipe, a caregiver may attempt to
pinch or gather the front waist region of the absorbent article to
obtain a grip on the absorbent article to use the inner layer of
the absorbent article in a wiping fashion. However, pinching or
gathering the front waist region of the absorbent article can
reduce the effective area of the inner layer of the absorbent
article that is intended to wipe the wearer's skin in the soiled
area as well as create an uneven inner surface of the absorbent
article that is not as conducive to wiping as the initial flat
surface. Pinching or gathering the front waist region of the
absorbent article in this fashion may also expose a caregiver's
fingers or hand to the exudates remaining on the wearer's skin, as
the gathered material in the front waist region may fold over due
to pinching or gathering of the absorbent article near the front
waist edge of the absorbent article where the absorbent article may
have less structural integrity and/or due to the wiping motion of
the caregiver employs with the absorbent article. Additionally,
gripping the front waist region of the absorbent article in such a
fashion may prove to be difficult altogether as the outer cover
materials may have a low coefficient of friction, resulting in the
gathered or pinched area of the front waist region slipping out of
the caregiver's hands while trying to wipe the soiled area.
[0004] A prior document has attempted to address these issues by
the introduction of a pocket in the front waist region of the
absorbent article to assist with cleaning the wearer. GB 2389300A
discloses various embodiments of absorbent articles including such
a pocket. However, past proposed embodiments including a pocket
fail to appreciate the difficulties in a caregiver using and/or
accessing such a pocket.
[0005] Thus, there remains a need for an absorbent article that can
provide improved functionality for the caregiver to utilize the
absorbent article as a first wipe to cleanse the wearer's skin.
There also remains a need for an absorbent article that includes a
pocket with improved accessibility that can be employed to utilize
the absorbent article in a wiping fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] In one embodiment, an absorbent article can include a front
waist region including a front waist edge, a rear waist region
including a rear waist edge, and a crotch region. The absorbent
article can further include a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis
defining a horizontal plane when the absorbent article is in a
stretched, laid flat configuration. The absorbent article can also
include an absorbent assembly including a bodyside liner, an outer
cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner
and the outer cover. The outer cover can include a body facing
surface and a garment facing surface. The absorbent article can
additionally include a pocket disposed in the front waist region.
The pocket can include a pocket longitudinal axis, a first side
edge, a second side edge opposite from the first side edge, an
upper lateral edge, a lower lateral edge, and a bottom surface. The
pocket can be closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at the
first side edge, the second side edge, and the upper lateral edge.
The pocket can be open with respect to the bottom surface at the
lower lateral edge such that when the absorbent article is in the
stretched, laid flat configuration, a vertical gap is provided
between the lower lateral edge and the bottom surface of the pocket
at the pocket longitudinal axis, the vertical gap providing access
to the pocket.
[0007] In another embodiment, an absorbent article can include a
front waist region including a front waist edge, a rear waist
region including a rear waist edge, and a crotch region. The
absorbent article can further include a longitudinal axis and a
lateral axis defining a horizontal plane when the absorbent article
is in a stretched, laid flat configuration. The absorbent article
can also include an absorbent assembly including a bodyside liner,
an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the bodyside
liner and the outer cover. The outer cover can include a body
facing surface and a garment facing surface. The absorbent article
can additionally include a pocket disposed in the front waist
region. The pocket can include a pocket longitudinal axis, a first
side edge, a second side edge opposite from the first side edge, an
upper lateral edge, and a lower lateral edge. The pocket can be
closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at the first side
edge, the second side edge, and the upper lateral edge. The pocket
can be open with respect to the outer cover at the lower lateral
edge, wherein a portion of the outer cover forms a bottom surface
of the pocket. The bottom surface of the pocket can be elastic near
the lower lateral edge of the pocket such that when the absorbent
article changes from the stretched, laid flat configuration to a
relaxed configuration, the bottom surface of the pocket elastically
retracts to provide a separation between the lower lateral edge and
the bottom surface of the pocket at the longitudinal axis of the
pocket, the separation providing access to the pocket.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, an absorbent article can include
a front waist region including a front waist edge, a rear waist
region including a rear waist edge, and a crotch region. The
absorbent article can further include a longitudinal axis and a
lateral axis defining a horizontal plane when the absorbent article
is in a stretched, laid flat configuration. The absorbent article
can also include an absorbent assembly including a bodyside liner,
an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the bodyside
liner and the outer cover. The outer cover can include a body
facing surface and a garment facing surface. The absorbent article
can additionally include a pocket disposed in the front waist
region. The pocket can be formed from a material. The pocket can
include a first side edge, a second side edge opposite from the
first side edge, an upper lateral edge, and a lower lateral edge.
The pocket can be closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at
least at the first side edge and the second side edge. The pocket
can be open with respect to the absorbent assembly at the lower
lateral edge. The pocket can include a projection in a central
region of the pocket near the lower lateral edge. The projection
can either be coupled to the material forming the pocket or can be
integral to the material forming the pocket. The projection can
provide access to the pocket.
[0009] In still yet another embodiment, an absorbent article can
include a front waist region including a front waist edge, a rear
waist region including a rear waist edge, and a crotch region. The
absorbent article can further include a longitudinal axis and a
lateral axis defining a horizontal plane when the absorbent article
is in a stretched, laid flat configuration. The absorbent article
can also include an absorbent assembly including a bodyside liner,
an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the bodyside
liner and the outer cover. The outer cover can include a body
facing surface and a garment facing surface. The absorbent article
can additionally include a pocket disposed in the front waist
region. The pocket being can be formed from a material. The pocket
including a first side edge, a second side edge opposite from the
first side edge, an upper lateral edge, and a lower lateral edge.
The pocket can be closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at
least at the first side edge and the second side edge. The pocket
can be open with respect to the absorbent assembly at the lower
lateral edge. The pocket can include a projection coupled to the
material forming the pocket. The projection can provide access to
the pocket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] A full and enabling disclosure thereof, directed to one of
ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the
remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the
appended figures in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an
absorbent article including a pocket, the absorbent article being
in a stretched, laid flat configuration, with the outer cover
facing the viewer.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the absorbent article of
FIG. 1 in an unfastened configuration.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the absorbent article of
FIG. 1 in a fastened configuration.
[0014] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 from
FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 from
FIG. 1, where the slack in the pocket is removed such that the
vertical gap can be measured.
[0016] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but
showing an alternative embodiment of an absorbent article including
a pocket, when the front fastener has not yet been coupled to the
back fasteners in a fastened configuration.
[0017] FIG. 5B is another cross-sectional view of the embodiment of
FIG. 5A after the front fastener has been engaged by the back
fasteners in a fastened configuration, the lower lateral edge of
the pocket being extended after the back fasteners have been
disengaged from the front fastener.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a detailed, top plan view illustrating the front
waist region of an alternative embodiment of an absorbent article
including a pocket.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 from
FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a detailed, top plan view illustrating the front
waist region of an alternative embodiment of an absorbent article
including a pocket having a projection that is integral to the
material forming the pocket.
[0021] FIG. 9A is a detailed, top plan view illustrating the front
waist region of an alternative embodiment of an absorbent article
including a pocket having a projection that is coupled to the
material forming the pocket.
[0022] FIG. 9B is a detailed, top plan view illustrating the front
waist region of an alternative embodiment of an absorbent article
including a pocket having a projection that is coupled to the
material forming the pocket.
[0023] FIG. 9C is a detailed, top plan view illustrating the front
waist region of an alternative embodiment of an absorbent article
including a pocket having a projection that is coupled to the
material forming the pocket.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a detailed, top plan view illustrating the front
waist region of an alternative embodiment of an absorbent article
including a pocket having a projection that is coupled to the
material forming the pocket.
[0025] Repeat use of reference characters in the present
specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or
analogous features or elements of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0026] In an embodiment, the present disclosure is generally
directed towards an absorbent article having a pocket disposed on
the outer surface in the front waist region of the absorbent
article that provides improved accessibility for a caregiver. The
pocket can aid a caregiver with providing an initial cleaning of
the wearer after the article is soiled by the wearer and prior to
changing the absorbent article. Each example is provided by way of
explanation and is not meant as a limitation. For example, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment or figure can be
used on another embodiment or figure to yield yet another
embodiment. It is intended that the present disclosure include such
modifications and variations.
[0027] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the
preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and
"said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the
elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements. Many modifications and
variations of the present disclosure can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, the exemplary
embodiments described above should not be used to limit the scope
of the invention.
Definitions
[0028] The term "absorbent article" refers herein to an article
which may be placed against or in proximity to the body (i.e.,
contiguous with the body) of the wearer to absorb and contain
various liquid, solid, and semi-solid exudates discharged from the
body. Such absorbent articles, as described herein, are intended to
be discarded after a limited period of use instead of being
laundered or otherwise restored for reuse. It is to be understood
that the present disclosure is applicable to various disposable
absorbent articles, including, but not limited to, diapers,
training pants, youth pants, swim pants, feminine hygiene products,
including, but not limited to, menstrual pads, incontinence
products, medical garments, surgical pads and bandages, other
personal care or health care garments, and the like without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0029] The term "acquisition layer" refers herein to a layer
capable of accepting and temporarily holding liquid body exudates
to decelerate and diffuse a surge or gush of the liquid body
exudates and to subsequently release the liquid body exudates
therefrom into another layer or layers of the absorbent
article.
[0030] The term "bonded" or "coupled" refers herein to the joining,
adhering, connecting, attaching, or the like, of two elements. Two
elements will be considered bonded or coupled together when they
are joined, adhered, connected, attached, or the like, directly to
one another or indirectly to one another, such as when each is
directly bonded to intermediate elements. The bonding or coupling
of one element to another can occur via continuous or intermittent
bonds.
[0031] The term "carded web" refers herein to a web containing
natural or synthetic staple length fibers typically having fiber
lengths less than about 100 mm. Bales of staple fibers can undergo
an opening process to separate the fibers which are then sent to a
carding process which separates and combs the fibers to align them
in the machine direction after which the fibers are deposited onto
a moving wire for further processing. Such webs are usually
subjected to some type of bonding process such as thermal bonding
using heat and/or pressure. In addition to or in lieu thereof, the
fibers may be subject to adhesive processes to bind the fibers
together such as by the use of powder adhesives. The carded web may
be subjected to fluid entangling, such as hydroentangling, to
further intertwine the fibers and thereby improve the integrity of
the carded web. Carded webs, due to the fiber alignment in the
machine direction, once bonded, will typically have more machine
direction strength than cross machine direction strength.
[0032] The term "film" refers herein to a thermoplastic film made
using an extrusion and/or forming process, such as a cast film or
blown film extrusion process. The term includes apertured films,
slit films, and other porous films which constitute liquid transfer
films, as well as films which do not transfer fluids, such as, but
not limited to, barrier films, filled films, breathable films, and
oriented films.
[0033] The term "gsm" refers herein to grams per square meter.
[0034] The term "hydrophilic" refers herein to fibers or the
surfaces of fibers which are wetted by aqueous liquids in contact
with the fibers. The degree of wetting of the materials can, in
turn, be described in terms of the contact angles and the surface
tensions of the liquids and materials involved. Equipment and
techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of particular
fiber materials or blends of fiber materials can be provided by
Cahn SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System, or a substantially
equivalent system. When measured with this system, fibers having
contact angles less than 90 are designated "wettable" or
hydrophilic, and fibers having contact angles greater than 90 are
designated "nonwettable" or hydrophobic.
[0035] The term "liquid impermeable" refers herein to a layer or
multi-layer laminate in which liquid body exudates, such as urine,
will not pass through the layer or laminate, under ordinary use
conditions, in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of
the layer or laminate at the point of liquid contact.
[0036] The term "liquid permeable" refers herein to any material
that is not liquid impermeable.
[0037] The term "meltblown" refers herein to fibers formed by
extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of
fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or
filaments into converging high velocity heated gas (e.g., air)
streams which attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic
material to reduce their diameter, which can be a microfiber
diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high
velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to
form a web of randomly dispersed meltblown fibers. Such a process
is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,241 to Butin et
al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Meltblown fibers
are microfibers which may be continuous or discontinuous, are
generally smaller than about 0.6 denier, and may be tacky and
self-bonding when deposited onto a collecting surface.
[0038] The term "nonwoven" refers herein to materials and webs of
material which are formed without the aid of a textile weaving or
knitting process. The materials and webs of materials can have a
structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads (collectively
referred to as "fibers") which can be interlaid, but not in an
identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven materials or
webs can be formed from many processes such as, but not limited to,
meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, carded web processes,
etc.
[0039] The term "pliable" refers herein to materials which are
compliant and which will readily conform to the general shape and
contours of the wearer's body.
[0040] The term "spunbond" refers herein to small diameter fibers
which are formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as
filaments from a plurality of fine capillaries of a spinnerette
having a circular or other configuration, with the diameter of the
extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced by a conventional
process such as, for example, eductive drawing, and processes that
are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,817 to
Matsuki et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney,
U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,763 to Hartmann, U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,538 to
Peterson, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al., each of which
is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Spunbond
fibers are generally continuous and often have average deniers
larger than about 0.3, and in an embodiment, between about 0.6, 5
and 10 and about 15, 20 and 40. Spunbond fibers are generally not
tacky when they are deposited on a collecting surface.
[0041] The term "superabsorbent" refers herein to a
water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic material
capable, under the most favorable conditions, of absorbing at least
about 15 times its weight and, in an embodiment, at least about 30
times its weight, in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight
percent sodium chloride. The superabsorbent materials can be
natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. In
addition, the superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials,
such as silica gels, or organic compounds, such as cross-linked
polymers.
[0042] The term "thermoplastic" refers herein to a material which
softens and which can be shaped when exposed to heat and which
substantially returns to a non-softened condition when cooled.
[0043] The term "user" or "caregiver" refers herein to one who fits
an absorbent article, such as, but not limited to, a diaper,
training pant, youth pant, incontinent product, or other absorbent
article about the wearer of one of these absorbent articles. A user
and a wearer can be one and the same person.
[0044] Absorbent Article:
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a non-limiting illustration of an
absorbent article 10, for example, a diaper, is illustrated. Other
embodiments of the absorbent article could include training pants,
youth pants, adult incontinence garments, and feminine hygiene
articles. While the embodiments and illustrations described herein
may generally apply to absorbent articles manufactured in the
product longitudinal direction, which is hereinafter called the
machine direction manufacturing of a product, it should be noted
that one of ordinary skill in the art could apply the information
herein to absorbent articles manufactured in the latitudinal
direction of the product, which hereinafter is called the cross
direction manufacturing of a product, without departing from the
spirit and scope of the disclosure.
[0046] The absorbent article 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a
front waist region 12, a rear waist region 14, and a crotch region
16 disposed between the front waist region 12 and the rear waist
region 14 and interconnecting the front and rear waist regions, 12,
14, respectively. The front waist region 12 can be referred to as
the front end region, the rear waist region 14 can be referred to
as the rear end region, and the crotch region 16 can be referred to
as the intermediate region. The absorbent article 10 has a pair of
longitudinal side edges, 18, 20, and a pair of opposite waist
edges, respectively designated front waist edge 22 and rear waist
edge 24. The front waist region 12 can be contiguous with the front
waist edge 22 and the rear waist region 14 can be contiguous with
the rear waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 can
extend from the front waist edge 22 to the rear waist edge 24.
[0047] The front waist region 12 can include the portion of the
absorbent article 10 that, when worn (such as in a fastened
configuration as depicted in FIG. 3,) is positioned at least in
part on the front of the wearer. The rear waist region 14 can
include the portion of the absorbent article 10 that, when worn
(such as in a fastened configuration as depicted in FIG. 3), is
positioned at least in part on the back of the wearer. The crotch
region 16 of the absorbent article 10 can include the portion of
the absorbent article 10, that, when worn, is positioned between
the legs of the wearer and can partially cover the lower torso of
the wearer. The waist edges, 22 and 24, of the absorbent article 10
are configured to encircle the waist of the wearer and together
define a central waist opening 23 for the waist of the wearer, as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Portions of the longitudinal side edges, 18
and 20, in the crotch region 16 can generally define leg openings
for the legs of the wearer when the absorbent article 10 is
worn.
[0048] The absorbent article 10 can include an outer cover 26 and a
bodyside liner 28, the bodyside liner 28 being depicted in the
cut-away portion of FIG. 1. In an embodiment, the bodyside liner 28
can be bonded to the outer cover 26 in a superposed relation by any
suitable means such as, but not limited to, adhesives, ultrasonic
bonds, thermal bonds, pressure bonds, or other conventional
techniques. The outer cover 26 can define a length in a
longitudinal direction 30, and a width in the lateral direction 32,
which, in the illustrated embodiment, can coincide with the length
and width of the absorbent article 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
the absorbent article 10 can have a longitudinal axis 29 extending
in the longitudinal direction 30 and a lateral axis 31 extending in
the lateral direction 32. The longitudinal axis 29 and the lateral
axis 31 can define a horizontal plane.
[0049] An absorbent body 34 can be disposed between the outer cover
26 and the bodyside liner 28. In an embodiment, the absorbent body
34 can have a length and width that are the same as or less than
the length and width of the absorbent article 10. The bodyside
liner 28, the outer cover 26, and the absorbent body 34 can form
part of an absorbent assembly 36. The absorbent assembly 36 can
also include other components not shown herein, such as a fluid
transfer layer and a fluid acquisition layer, as are known in the
art.
[0050] The absorbent article 10 can be configured to contain and/or
absorb liquid, solid, and semi-solid body exudates discharged from
the wearer. For example, containment flaps 38, 40 (shown in FIGS. 2
and 3), which are known in the art, can be configured to provide a
barrier to the lateral flow of body exudates. To further enhance
containment and/or absorption of body exudates, in some embodiments
the absorbent article 10 can suitably include a waist elastic
member, such as a rear waist elastic member 42. In some
embodiments, the absorbent article 10 can include a front waist
elastic member, although one is not depicted in the figures herein.
The absorbent article 10 can further include leg elastic members,
44 and 46, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and as are known to those
skilled in the art. The rear waist elastic member 42 can be
attached to the outer cover 26 and/or the bodyside liner 28 along
the rear waist edge 24 and can extend over part or all of the rear
waist edge 24. In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rear
waist elastic member 42 is attached to the bodyside liner 28. The
leg elastic members, 44 and 46, can be attached to the outer cover
26 and/or the bodyside liner 28 along the opposite longitudinal
side edges, 18 and 20, and positioned in the crotch region 16 of
the absorbent article 10. The leg elastic members, 44 and 46, can
be curved as shown in FIG. 1, or can be parallel to the
longitudinal axis 29 as is known in the art.
[0051] The absorbent article 10 can also include a fastening system
that can be used to put the article 10 in a fastened configuration,
such as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the fastening system
can include a pair of back fasteners 56 and at least one front
fastener 58. The back fasteners 56 can each include a fastening
component 60 that can engage the front fastener 58.
[0052] Additional details regarding each of these elements of the
absorbent article 10 described herein can be found below and with
reference to the FIGS. 1 through 10.
[0053] Outer Cover:
[0054] The outer cover 26 and/or portions thereof can be breathable
and/or liquid impermeable. The outer cover 26 and/or portions
thereof can be elastic, stretchable, or non-stretchable. The outer
cover 26 may be constructed of a single layer, multiple layers,
laminates, spunbond fabrics, films, meltblown fabrics, elastic
netting, microporous webs, bonded-carded webs or foams provided by
elastomeric or polymeric materials. In an embodiment, for example,
the outer cover 26 can be constructed of a microporous polymeric
film, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.
[0055] In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be a single layer
of a liquid impermeable material, such as a polymeric film. In an
embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be suitably stretchable, and
more suitably elastic, in at least the lateral direction 32 of the
absorbent article 10. In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be
stretchable, and more suitably elastic, in both the lateral 32 and
the longitudinal 30 directions. In an embodiment, the outer cover
26 can be a multi-layered laminate in which at least one of the
layers is liquid impermeable. In an embodiment, such as that
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, the outer cover 26 can be a two layer
construction, including an outer layer 48 material and an inner
layer 50 material (labeled in FIGS. 1 and 7) which can be bonded
together such as by a laminate adhesive. Suitable laminate
adhesives can be applied continuously or intermittently as beads, a
spray, parallel swirls, or the like, but it is to be understood
that the inner layer 50 can be bonded to the outer layer 48 by
other bonding methods, including, but not limited to, ultrasonic
bonds, thermal bonds, pressure bonds, or the like.
[0056] The outer layer 48 of the outer cover 26 can be any suitable
material and may be one that provides a generally cloth-like
texture or appearance to the wearer. An example of such material
can be a 100% polypropylene bonded-carded web with a diamond bond
pattern available from Sandler A.G., Germany, such as 30 gsm
Sawabond 4185.RTM. or equivalent. Another example of material
suitable for use as an outer layer 48 of an outer cover 26 can be a
20 gsm spunbond polypropylene non-woven web. The outer layer 48 may
also be constructed of the same materials from which the bodyside
liner 28 can be constructed as described herein.
[0057] The liquid impermeable inner layer 50 of the outer cover 26
(or the liquid impermeable outer cover 26 where the outer cover 26
is of a single-layer construction) can be either vapor permeable
(i.e., "breathable") or vapor impermeable. The liquid impermeable
inner layer 50 (or the liquid impermeable outer cover 26 where the
outer cover 26 is of a single-layer construction) can be
manufactured from a thin plastic film. The liquid impermeable inner
layer 50 (or the liquid impermeable outer cover 26 where the outer
cover 26 is of a single-layer construction) can inhibit liquid body
exudates from leaking out of the absorbent article 10 and wetting
articles, such as bed sheets and clothing, as well as the wearer
and caregiver.
[0058] Where the outer cover 26 is of a single layer construction,
it can be embossed and/or matte finished to provide a more
cloth-like texture or appearance. The outer cover 26 can permit
vapors to escape from the absorbent article 10 while preventing
liquids from passing through. A suitable liquid impermeable, vapor
permeable material can be composed of a microporous polymer film or
a non-woven material which has been coated or otherwise treated to
impart a desired level of liquid impermeability.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 1-4B, the absorbent article 10 can include
a pocket 64. The pocket 64 can be disposed in the front waist
region 12 of the absorbent article 10. In some embodiments, the
pocket 64 can be disposed in the front waist region 12 and extend
into the crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10. The pocket
64 can include a pocket longitudinal axis 65, as shown in FIG. 1.
Preferably, the pocket longitudinal axis 65 substantially aligns
with the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10. In some
embodiments, the pocket 64 can be formed from a material 66 coupled
to the outer cover 26. The material 66 can be coupled to the outer
cover 26 by any suitable method known in the art, such as by
adhesive 68, as shown in the embodiment of the absorbent article 10
in FIGS. 1-4. In other embodiments, the pocket 64 can be formed
from one or more components of the absorbent assembly 36, such as
the outer cover 26.
[0060] The pocket 64 can include a first side edge 70 and a second
side edge 72. The second side edge 72 can be opposite from the
first side edge 70. The pocket 64 can also include an upper lateral
edge 74 and a lower lateral edge 76. The pocket 64 can include a
bottom surface 67. The pocket 64 can be closed with respect to the
absorbent assembly 36 at least at the first side edge 70 and the
second side edge 72. In some embodiments, the pocket 64 can be
closed with respect to the absorbent assembly 36 at the upper
lateral edge 74 as well. As shown in the embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 1, 6, and 8-10, the pocket 64, 264, 364, 464 is closed with
respect to the absorbent assembly 36 in this manner due to the
selective location of the adhesive 68. The adhesive 68 can bond the
material 66 forming the pocket 64 to the garment facing surface 27
of the outer cover 26. The pocket 64 can be open with respect to
the absorbent assembly 36 at the lower lateral edge 76. The open
nature of the pocket 64 at the lower lateral edge 76 allows a
caregiver's hand to enter the pocket 64 to assist with an initial
wiping of the skin of the wearer after the article 10 becomes
soiled with exudates prior to disposing of the soiled absorbent
article 10 and cleansing the wearer's skin, as will be discussed in
further detail below. In some embodiments, the pocket 64 can be
open with respect to absorbent assembly 36 at the upper lateral
edge 74 as well as at the lower lateral edge 76.
[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pocket 64 can include a width
78 and a length 80. The length 80 can be measured in the
longitudinal direction 30 from the upper lateral edge 74 to the
lower lateral edge 76. In preferred embodiments, the length 80 of
the pocket 64 can be between about 1.25 inches and about 3.75
inches. The width 78 can be measured in the lateral direction 32
from the first side edge 70 to the second side edge 72. In
preferred embodiments, the width 78 of the pocket 64 can be between
about 3.00 inches and about 6.00 inches.
[0062] The pocket 64 can be configured to provide improved
accessibility for a caregiver to place their hand or a portion of
their hand in the pocket 64. This can be achieved in several
different configurations.
[0063] For example, with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the pocket
64 can be open with respect to the bottom surface 67 at the lower
lateral edge 76 of the pocket 64 such that when the absorbent
article 10 is in the stretched, laid flat configuration, a vertical
gap 81 can be provided between the lower lateral edge 76 and the
bottom surface 67 of the pocket 64 at the pocket longitudinal axis
65 (labeled in FIG. 1). For purposes herein, the vertical gap 81 is
to be measured as the distance between the lower lateral edge 76 of
the pocket 64 and the bottom surface 67 of the pocket 64 measured
in the vertical direction 33 when the slack is removed from the
material 66 forming the pocket 64, such as illustrated in FIG. 4B,
when the absorbent article is in the stretched, laid flat
configuration. Of note, removing the slack from the material 66
forming the pocket 64 in order to measure the vertical gap 81 does
not include elastically extending the material 66 if the material
66 is elastic or extending the material 66 in such a manner that
deforms the material 66 if the material 66 is not elastic, but is
extendable. The vertical direction 33 is perpendicular to the
horizontal plane defined by the longitudinal axis 29 and the
lateral axis 31 when the absorbent article 10 is in a stretched,
laid flat configuration. The vertical gap 81 can be measured with a
ruler when the absorbent article 10 is placed in the stretched,
laid flat configuration and the slack is removed from the material
66 forming the pocket 64. Thus, any values relating to the vertical
gap 81 as discussed herein relate to this measurement method for
the vertical gap 81.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the vertical gap 81 can provide
improved accessibility to the pocket 64, even when the absorbent
article 10 is in the stretched, laid flat configuration. The
configuration of the vertical gap 81 and the width 78 of the pocket
64 at the lower lateral edge 76 can define an open area 83 for a
caregiver's hand or finger(s) to enter the pocket 64. The size of
the vertical gap 81 can vary between different embodiments. In some
embodiments, the vertical gap 81 can be from about 0.0625 inches to
about 3.00 inches, more preferably from about 0.125 inches to about
2.00 inches, and more preferably from about 0.25 inches to about
1.00 inches. Of course, it is contemplated that the vertical gap 81
can be outside of these preferable ranges. In some circumstances,
the size of the vertical gap 81 can be configured to be larger if
the width 78 of the pocket 64 is configured to be smaller as
compared to other embodiments in an effort to achieve similar open
area 83 for the caregiver's hand or finger(s) to enter the pocket
64. In some embodiments, a ratio of the width 78 of the pocket 64
to the vertical gap 81 can be less than about 100:1, less than
about 90:1, less than about 80:1, less than about 70:1, less than
about 60:1, less than about 50:1, less than about 40:1, less than
about 30:1, less than about 25:1, less than about 20:1, less than
about 19:1, less than about 18:1, less than about 17:1, less than
about 16:1, less than about 15:1, less than about 14:1, less than
about 13:1, less than about 12:1, less than about 11:1, less than
about 10:1, less than about 9:1, less than about 8:1, less than
about 7:1, less than about 6:1, less than about 5:1, less than
about 4:1, less than about 3:1, less than about 2:1, or about
1:1.
[0065] In some embodiments, the vertical gap 81 can be created for
the pocket 64 by having the length 82 along the lower lateral edge
76 of the pocket 64 from the first side edge 70 to the second side
edge 72 be greater than the length 84 along the garment facing
surface 27 of the outer cover 26 from the first side edge 70 to the
second side edge 72, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The length
82 measured along the lower lateral edge 76 of the pocket 64
follows the actual path of the lower lateral edge 76 in the
longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions, 30, 32, 33,
respectively. The length 84 along the garment facing surface 27 of
the outer cover 26 is measured along a projected path of the lower
lateral edge 76 in the horizontal plane defined by the longitudinal
axis 29 and the lateral axis 31. Thus, the length 84 can be, but is
not necessarily measured along a straight line in the lateral
direction 32 between the distal end 70a of the first side edge 70
of the pocket 64 and the distal end 72a of the second side edge 72
of the pocket 64. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS.
1-4B where the lower lateral edge 76 of the pocket 64 is configured
to be a linear segment in the lateral direction 32, the length 84
along the outer cover 26 will follow a projected path of the lower
lateral edge 76 that will be linear between the distal end 70a of
the first side edge 70 of the pocket 64 and the distal end 72a of
the second side edge 72 of the pocket 64. However, if the lower
lateral edge 76 was arcuate in nature in the lateral direction 32,
or some other non-linear shape, then the length 84 along the outer
cover 26 will follow a projected path of such arcuate shape (or
other non-linear shape) of the lower lateral edge 76 in the
horizontal plane defined by the longitudinal axis 29 and the
lateral axis 31, and therefore, the length 84 along the outer cover
26 will not be measured in a linear fashion between the distal end
70a of the first side edge 70 of the pocket 64 and the distal end
72a of the second side edge 72 of the pocket 64.
[0066] Where the lower lateral edge 76 of the pocket 64 forms a
linear segment, such as in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4B,
the length 82 of the lower lateral edge 82 can be measured with a
ruler. This can be accomplished by measuring the length of the two
angled sections of the lower lateral edge 76 when the slack is
removed from the pocket 64 and the absorbent article 10 is in the
stretched, laid flat configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. 4B,
and adding the length of the two angled sections to provide the
length 82 of the lower lateral edge 76. Alternatively, the length
82 of the lower lateral edge 76 can be measured by removing the
bond of the upper lateral edge 74 and one of either the first side
edge 70 or the second side edge 72 of the pocket 64 such that the
material 66 forming the pocket 64 can be laid flat, and the length
82 of the lower lateral edge 76 can thus be measured in the
horizontal plane defined by the longitudinal axis 29 and the
lateral axis 31. If the lower lateral edge 76 is not a linear
segment, the length 82 of the lower lateral edge 76 can be
calculated using appropriate mathematical formulas to model the
shape of the lower lateral edge 76, as are known by those of
ordinary skill in the art. It is to be noted that all measurements
for the vertical gap 81, the length 82 of the lower lateral edge
76, and the length 84 along the garment facing surface 27 of the
outer cover 26 from the first side edge 70 to the second side edge
72 of the pocket 64 are to be measured when the product is in the
stretched, laid flat configuration and when the absorbent article
has not yet been used.
[0067] It is to be noted that the length 87 (labeled in FIG. 1) of
the upper lateral edge 74 as measured in the lateral direction 32
can be equal to or different from the length 82 of the lower
lateral edge 76. For example, if the upper lateral edge 74 is
closed with respect to the absorbent assembly 36, the length 87 of
the upper lateral edge 74 can be less than the length 82 of the
lower lateral edge 76 when the absorbent article is in the
stretched, laid flat configuration.
[0068] As illustrated in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 4A where
the material 66 forming the pocket 64 has some slack and in the
cross-sectional view in FIG. 4B where the vertical gap 81 can be
measured, by having the length 82 be greater than length 84, the
pocket 64 provides easier access for a caregiver to enter their
hand, or a portion of their hand, into the pocket 64 due to the
open area 83 between the lower lateral edge 76 of the pocket 64 and
the garment facing surface 27 of the outer cover 64 forming the
bottom surface 67 of the pocket 64. This can be especially
beneficial from the standpoint that a caregiver may be using one of
their hands to hold a portion of the wearer's body or the wearer's
clothing at the point in time the caregiver wants to employ the
pocket 64, thus leaving only one hand to enter and use the pocket
64 for wiping the wearer's skin with a clean surface on the
absorbent article 10 prior to changing the absorbent article 10.
Easier accessibility into the pocket 64 allows easier operation of
the pocket 64 for the caregiver.
[0069] In one embodiment, the vertical gap 81 in the pocket 64 can
be created by gathering the material 66 that forms the pocket 64
prior to attaching the material 66 to the absorbent assembly 36.
For example, the material 66 that forms the pocket 64 can be
gathered in the lateral direction 32 prior to attaching the
material 66 to the outer cover 26 of the absorbent article 10 with
adhesive 68. In other words, the material 66 forming the pocket 64
is not extended to lay flat against the outer cover 26, or not
extended to a stretch to stop configuration, before it is attached
to the outer cover 26 of the absorbent article 10. In such a
configuration, the length 82 along the lower lateral edge 76 of the
pocket 64 from the first side edge 70 to the second side edge 72
can be made to be greater than a length 84 along the garment facing
surface 27 of the outer cover 26 from the first side edge 70 to the
second side edge 72. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an embodiment of
the material 66 forming the pocket 64 being gathered in the lateral
direction 32 to achieve the length 82 being greater than the length
84. In such a configuration, the vertical gap 81 can be present in
the absorbent article 10 in the stretched, laid flat configuration
before the fastening system is engaged and disengaged for a first
time.
[0070] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, another embodiment of a
pocket 164 is shown where the fastening system can provide access
to the pocket 164 of the absorbent article 10. As illustrated in
FIGS. 1-3, the absorbent article 10 can include a fastening system.
The fastening system can include a pair of back fasteners 56 in the
rear waist region 14 and at least one front fastener 58 in the
front waist region 12. The back fasteners 56 can each include a
fastening component 60. The fastening component 60, such as a hook
material, can be configured to engage the front fastening component
58, which can be a loop material, such as shown in FIG. 3 in the
fastened configuration. As shown in FIGS. 1-5B, the material 66,
166 forming the pocket 64, 164 can be the same material that forms
the front fastening component 58. FIG. 5A illustrates a
cross-sectional view of the pocket 164 prior to the back fasteners
56 engaging the front fastener 58 to place the absorbent article in
a fastened configuration for the first time. In such a
configuration, there is no vertical gap provided between the lower
lateral edge 76 and the bottom surface 67 of the pocket 164, and
thus, substantially no open area 83 for a caregiver to insert their
hand or finger(s) into the pocket 164 when the absorbent article 10
is in the stretched, laid flat configuration. In such a
configuration, the length 182 along the lower lateral edge 176 of
the pocket 164 from the first side edge 170 to the second side edge
172 can be substantially equal to the length 184 along the garment
facing surface 27 of the outer cover 26 from the first side edge
170 to the second side edge 172.
[0071] After the back fasteners 56 engage the front fastener 58 in
a fastened configuration, and then the back fasteners 56 are
disengaged from the front fastener 58 to an unfastened
configuration for the first time, an open area 183 can be created
in the pocket 164 near the lower lateral edge 176, as depicted in
FIG. 5B. The open area 183 can provide for a vertical gap that can
be measured as discussed above with respect to FIG. 4B. In such a
configuration, the length 182 can increase to be greater than the
length 184 after the fastening system has been engaged in a
fastened configuration and then disengaged from the fastened
configuration to an unfastened configuration, as illustrated in
FIG. 5B. Such a configuration can be achieved by employing an
extensible, but not elastic, material to be the material 166
forming the pocket 164. Additionally and/or alternatively, the
material 166 forming the pocket 164 can be in a pleated
configuration to provide such a result. In such embodiments, after
the back fasteners 56 are disengaged from the front fastener 58 the
material 166 forming the pocket 164 can extend in width in the
lateral direction 32, such that a vertical gap is provided in the
pocket 164 to create an open area 183, and the length 182 along the
lower lateral edge 176 of the pocket 164 from the first side edge
170 to the second side edge 172 can be greater than the length 184
along the garment facing surface 27 of the outer cover 26 from the
first side edge 170 to the second side edge 172, similar to that as
discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-4B. As mentioned above,
having a vertical gap at the lower lateral edge 176 of the pocket
164 provides for easier access to the pocket 164 for the
caregiver.
[0072] Embodiments such as those illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B
where no vertical gap is present between the lower lateral edge 176
and the bottom surface 167 of the pocket 164 prior to the fastening
system being disengaged for the first time can provide additional
benefits. For example, in such a configuration, the pocket 164
becomes accessible for the caregiver only at the time it is desired
to be used by the caregiver to assist in wiping the wearer's skin.
In other words, the pocket 164, and more specifically, the lower
lateral edge 176, can be adjacent to the garment facing surface 27
of the outer cover 26 prior to and while the absorbent article 10
is in the fastened configuration such that no vertical gap is
present, but then the pocket 164 becomes more accessible upon the
disengagement of the fasteners 56, 58 when the absorbent article 10
is in the unfastened configuration such that a vertical gap and
open area 183 are provided.
[0073] Thus, the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5B provide different
examples of where a vertical gap 81 can be provided in the pocket
64, 164 to provide easier accessibility to the pocket 64, 164 when
the absorbent article 10 is in the stretched, laid flat
configuration. Such configurations can provide for the length 82,
182 along the lower lateral edge 76, 176 of the pocket 64, 164 from
the first side edge 70, 170 to the second side edge 72, 172 to be
greater than the length 84, 184 along the garment facing surface 27
of the outer cover 26 from the first side edge 70, 170 to the
second side edge 72, 172. As discussed above with respect to FIGS.
1-4B, the vertical gap 81 can be provided prior to the fastening
system being engaged for the first time. In such configurations,
the length 82 can be greater than the length 84 prior to the
fastening system being engaged and disengaged for a first time.
Additionally or alternatively, the vertical gap can be provided
after the fastening system is disengaged from the fastened
configuration to an unfastened configuration for the first time,
such as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In a sample configuration,
the length 182 can become greater than the length 184 after the
fastening system is disengaged for a first time. Of course, it is
contemplated that such a configuration and/or material selection
for the material 166 forming the pocket 164 as discussed in FIGS.
5A and 5B can be used in addition to the configuration as
illustrated in FIGS. 1-4B of the gathered material 66 to provide
further accessibility to the pocket 64, or as an alternative to
such a configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4B. Where the
configuration and/or material selection for the material 166
forming the pocket 164 is in addition to the configuration as
illustrated in FIGS. 1-4B where a vertical gap 81 is present prior
to the fastening system being disengaged for the first time, the
vertical gap 81 can increase after the fastening system is
disengaged for the first time.
[0074] Another embodiment of an absorbent article 10 with a pocket
264 having increased accessibility is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The
pocket 264 can be formed from a material 266. The material 266 can
be extensible and non-elastic, elastic, or non-extendable. The
pocket 264 can configured such that a portion of the outer cover 26
forms a bottom surface 267 of the pocket 264. For example, the
garment facing surface 27 of the outer cover 26 can form a bottom
surface 267 of the pocket 264. The bottom surface 267 of the pocket
264 can be elastic near the lower lateral edge 276 of the pocket
264 such that when the absorbent article 10 moves from a stretched,
laid flat configuration to a relaxed configuration (as shown in the
exploded, cross-sectional view in FIG. 7), the bottom surface 267
of the pocket 264 can elastically retract to provide a separation
285 between the lower lateral edge and the bottom surface of the
pocket 264 at the longitudinal axis 265 of the pocket 264 (labeled
in FIG. 6). The separation 285 provides access to the pocket 264
when the absorbent article 10 is in the relaxed configuration, as
illustrated in FIG. 7, and the bottom surface 267 of the pocket 264
elastically retracts.
[0075] The elastic nature of the bottom surface 267 of the pocket
264 can be provided in a variety of ways. For example, an elastic
material 86 can be coupled to the portion of the outer cover 26
that forms the bottom surface 267 of the pocket 264 near the lower
lateral edge 276 of the pocket 264. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and
7, the outer cover 26 can include an outer layer 48 and an inner
layer 50. In one embodiment, the elastic material 86 can be
disposed between the outer layer 48 and the inner layer 50 of the
outer cover 26 near the lower lateral edge 276 of the pocket 264.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the elastic material 86 can be one
or more strands of material having elastic properties. Suitable
elastic materials 86 can include sheets, strands or ribbons of
natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric
materials. The elastic material 86 can be stretched and secured to
the outer cover 26, or secured to the outer cover 26 and then
elasticized or shrunk, for example, with the application of heat,
such that the elastic retractive forces are imparted to the outer
cover 26. It is also contemplated that the elastic nature in this
region of the outer cover 26 can be provided by the elastic
properties of the outer cover 26 itself. The entire outer cover 26
can be comprised of an elastic material, or a portion of the outer
cover 26 near the lower lateral edge 276 of the pocket 264 can
exhibit elastic properties. Although not shown, it is also
contemplated that the pocket 264 could be formed by a slit in the
outer layer 48 of the outer cover 26 such that the bottom surface
267 of the pocket 264 is formed by a portion of the inner layer 50
of the outer cover 26. In such an alternative configuration, the
elastic material 86 can be preferably disposed between the inner
layer 50 of the outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28.
[0076] By imparting retractive forces on the outer cover 26 near at
least the lower lateral edge 276 of the pocket 264 can provide
benefits, similar to those discussed above with respect to pockets
64, 164 in FIGS. 1-5B. For example, the pocket 264 can provide
easier access for a caregiver to use the pocket 264. Notably, the
pocket 264 can provide the benefit of remaining adjacent the
garment facing surface 27 of the outer cover 26 while the absorbent
article 10 is in a fastened configuration, but then the pocket 264
can provide more accessibility as the fastening system is
disengaged and the article 10 moves to the relaxed configuration
such that the bottom surface 267 of the pocket 264 can elastically
retract and open the pocket 264 for the caregiver providing
improved accessibility. It is to be noted that the elastic nature
of the bottom surface 267 of the pocket 264 can be used in addition
to or as an alternative to the configurations noted above with
respect to pocket 164 in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and/or pocket 64 in FIGS.
1-4B. For example, the configuration of FIGS. 6 and 7 could be
combined with a configuration of a pocket that has a vertical gap
81 in the stretched, laid flat configuration, such as the pocket 64
illustrated in FIGS. 1-4B, such that a vertical gap is present in
the pocket 264 in the stretched, laid flat configuration to provide
access to the pocket 264, and the separation 285 is created by the
elastic retraction of the bottom surface 267 of the pocket 264.
[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, other embodiments of an
absorbent article 10 including a pocket 364, 464 with improved
accessibility are shown. In FIGS. 8-10, the pockets 364, 464 can
include a projection 388, 488 that can provide access to the
pockets 364, 464. The projection 388 of FIG. 8 and the projection
488 of FIGS. 9A-10 can be in a central region 390, 490 of the
pockets 364, 464 near the lower lateral edge 376, 476. The central
region 390, 490 can be equal to about 50% of the lateral width of
the pockets 364, 464 centered around the longitudinal axis 365, 465
of the pockets 364, 464. As shown in FIG. 8, the projection 388 can
be integral with the material 366 providing the pocket 364.
However, FIGS. 9A-10 provide an embodiment where the projection 488
can be coupled to the material 466 providing the pocket 464.
[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the projection 388 can include a
bottom edge 394 that forms a portion of the lower lateral edge 376
of the pocket 364. The bottom edge 394 of the projection 388 can
extend closer to the lateral axis 31 (not shown in FIG. 8) of the
absorbent article 10 than is the portion of the lower lateral edge
376 that does not include the projection 388. As also illustrated
in FIG. 8, the material 366 forming the pocket 364 can include a
notch 392 near the upper lateral edge 374. The notch 392 can have a
shape that nests with the projection 388 that is formed integral
with the material 366 forming the pocket 364. The projection 388
and the notch 392 can be nested due to a die-cut manufacturing
method of cutting the material 366 forming the pocket 364, such
that a projection 388 in one pocket 364 will be nested with the
notch 392 of an adjacent pocket 364 as the material 366 is being
cut by a die cutter (not shown). Of course, the notch 392 near the
upper lateral edge 374 is an optional feature in the pocket
364.
[0079] As illustrated in FIGS. 9A-10, the pocket 464 can
alternatively include a projection 488 that is coupled to the
material 466 forming the pocket 464. The projection 488 can
included at least one bonded portion 488a and at least one
non-bonded portion 488b. The bonded portion(s) 488a can attach the
projection 488 to the material 466 forming the pocket 464 and the
non-bonded portion(s) 488b can be not attached to the material 466
forming the pocket 464. The projection 488 can be coupled to the
material 466 forming the pocket 464 at the bonded portion(s) 488a
via adhesive, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, thermal
bonding, stitching, or any other suitable means known by those of
ordinary skill in the art. As illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9C, the
bonded portion(s) 488a can have less area than the area of the
non-bonded portion(s) 488b of the projection 488.
[0080] The projection 488 can be coupled to the material 466
forming the pocket 464 in a variety of configurations. For example,
as illustrated in FIGS. 9B, 9C, and 10, at least one of the
non-bonded portions 488b of the projection 488 can be disposed
between the upper lateral edge 474 and the lower lateral edge 476
of the pocket 464. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, at least a portion of
a non-bonded portion 488b can extend beyond the lower lateral edge
476 of the pocket 464 such that at least a portion of the
non-bonded portion 488b is disposed between the lower lateral edge
476 of the pocket 464 and the lateral axis 31 (not shown in FIG.
9A) of the absorbent article 10. Stated differently, the bottom
edge 494 of the projection 488 can extend closer to the lateral
axis 31 (not shown in FIG. 9A) of the absorbent article 10 than
does the lower lateral edge 476 of the pocket 464. As illustrated
in FIGS. 9B and 10, the projection 488 can be coupled to the
material 466 forming the pocket 464 such that the bottom edge 494
of the projection 488 is substantially aligned with the lower
lateral edge 476 of the pocket 464. As depicted in FIGS. 9A-10, the
projection 488 is preferably coupled to the garment facing surface
464a of the pocket 464, however, in configurations where the
projection 488 extends beyond the lower lateral edge 476 of the
pocket 464 (such as in FIG. 9A), it is contemplated that projection
488 could be coupled to the body facing surface of the pocket
464.
[0081] The projection 488 can be configured to be of various sizes
and shapes. For example, in FIGS. 9A-9C the projection 488 can have
a length 496 in the longitudinal direction 30 that is less than the
length 480 of the pocket 464. However, as illustrated in FIG. 10,
the projection 488 can be configured to be equal to or greater in
length 496 than the length 480 of the pocket 464. As depicted in
FIG. 10, the projection 488 can be configured to extend from the
upper lateral 474 to at least the lower lateral edge 476. The
projection 488 can also extend above the upper lateral edge 474
and/or below the lower lateral edge 476. While the projections 488
depicted herein are generally rectangular in shape, it is
contemplated that the projection 488 may be configured in other
suitable shapes, including, but not limited to circles,
semi-circles, triangles, arcs, ellipses, and other suitable
shapes.
[0082] The projections 388, 488 as depicted in FIGS. 8-10 provide
for improved accessibility to the pocket 364, 464 of the absorbent
article 10 by providing the caregiver with a gripping point to lift
the pocket 364, 464 away from the absorbent assembly 36 such that
the caregiver's hand or a portion of their hand can more easily
enter the pocket 364, 464. With respect to the projections 488
depicted in FIGS. 9A-10, the non-bonded portions 488b of the
projections 488 provide such a gripping point for the caregiver.
Additionally, for the projections 388, 488 that extend below the
lower lateral edge 376, 476 of the pocket 364, 464, such as in
FIGS. 8 and 9A, the portions of the projections 388, 488 extending
below the lower lateral edge 376, 476 can provide additional ease
of access for gripping the projection 388, 488. As an additional
benefit, the projections 388, 488 can also provide a visual cue to
the caregiver that a pocket 364, 464 is present on the absorbent
article 10, where otherwise it may be less noticeable.
[0083] It is to be noted that the projections 388, 488 of pockets
364, 464 of FIGS. 8-10 can be employed as an additional feature to
any one of the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-7, or as an
alternative to the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-7 to provide
improved accessibility to the pocket 364, 464. Additionally, it is
contemplated that the material 366, 466 forming the pockets 364,
464 of FIGS. 8-10 can be a portion of the outer cover 26, such as
by forming a slit in an outer layer 48 of the outer cover 26 as
discussed above. In such embodiments, the projection 388 could be
integral to the the outer cover 26 or could be a projection 488
coupled to the outer cover 26.
[0084] Absorbent Body:
[0085] The absorbent body 34 can be suitably constructed to be
generally compressible, conformable, pliable, non-irritating to the
wearer's skin and capable of absorbing and retaining liquid body
exudates. The absorbent body 34 can be manufactured in a wide
variety of sizes and shapes (for example, rectangular, trapezoidal,
T-shape, I-shape, hourglass shape, etc.) and from a wide variety of
materials. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an absorbent body 34
that is rectangular in shape. The size and the absorbent capacity
of the absorbent body 34 should be compatible with the size of the
intended wearer (infants to adults) and the liquid loading imparted
by the intended use of the absorbent article 10. The absorbent body
34 can have a length and width that can be less than or equal to
the length and width of the absorbent article 10.
[0086] The absorbent body 34 can also be further configured to help
the caregiver maintain control of the pocket 64 of the absorbent
article 10. For example, the absorbent body 34 and the pocket 64
can be disposed such that first end edge 35 of the absorbent body
34 can be closer to the lateral axis 31 than is the upper lateral
edge 74 of the pocket 64. The space formed between the first end
edge 35 of the absorbent body 34 and the upper lateral edge 74 of
the pocket 64 can provide space for a caregiver's finger tips to
rest when the caregiver is using the pocket 64 to wipe the wearer
of the article 10.
[0087] In an embodiment, the absorbent body 34 can be composed of a
web material of hydrophilic fibers, cellulosic fibers (e.g., wood
pulp fibers), natural fibers, synthetic fibers, woven or nonwoven
sheets, scrim netting or other stabilizing structures,
superabsorbent material, binder materials, surfactants, selected
hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, pigments, lotions, odor
control agents or the like, as well as combinations thereof. In an
embodiment, the absorbent body 34 can be a matrix of cellulosic
fluff and superabsorbent material. In an embodiment, the absorbent
body 34 may be constructed of a single layer of materials, or in
the alternative, may be constructed of two or more layers of
materials.
[0088] Various types of wettable, hydrophilic fibers can be used in
the absorbent body 34. Examples of suitable fibers include natural
fibers, cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers composed of cellulose
or cellulose derivatives, such as rayon fibers; inorganic fibers
composed of an inherently wettable material, such as glass fibers;
synthetic fibers made from inherently wettable thermoplastic
polymers, such as particular polyester or polyamide fibers, or
composed of nonwettable thermoplastic polymers, such as polyolefin
fibers which have been hydrophilized by suitable means. The fibers
may be hydrophilized, for example, by treatment with a surfactant,
treatment with silica, treatment with a material which has a
suitable hydrophilic moiety and is not readily removed from the
fiber, or by sheathing the nonwettable, hydrophobic fiber with a
hydrophilic polymer during or after formation of the fiber.
Suitable superabsorbent materials can be selected from natural,
synthetic, and modified natural polymers and materials. The
superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica
gels, or organic compounds, such as cross-linked polymers. In an
embodiment, the absorbent body 34 can be free of superabsorbent
material.
[0089] The absorbent body 34 can be superposed over the inner layer
50 of the outer cover 26 and can be bonded to the inner layer 50 of
the outer cover 26, such as by being bonded thereto with adhesive.
However, it is to be understood that the absorbent body 34 may be
in contact with, and not bonded with, the outer cover 26 and remain
within the scope of this disclosure. In an embodiment, the outer
cover 26 can be composed of a single layer and the absorbent body
34 can be in contact with the singer layer of the outer cover 26.
In an embodiment, a layer, such as but not limited to, a fluid
transfer layer (not shown), can be positioned between the absorbent
body 34 and the outer cover 26.
[0090] Bodyside Liner:
[0091] The bodyside liner 28 of the absorbent article 10 can
overlay the absorbent body 34 and the outer cover 26 and can
isolate the wearer's skin from liquid waste retained by the
absorbent body 34. In various embodiments, a fluid transfer layer
(not shown) can be positioned between the bodyside liner 28 and the
absorbent body 34. In various embodiments, an acquisition layer
(not shown) can be positioned between the bodyside liner 28 and the
absorbent body 34 or a fluid transfer layer, if present. In various
embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 can be bonded to the acquisition
layer, or to the fluid transfer layer if no acquisition layer is
present, via adhesive and/or by a point fusion bonding. The point
fusion bonding may be selected from ultrasonic, thermal, pressure
bonding, and combinations thereof.
[0092] In an embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 can extend beyond
the absorbent body 34 and/or a fluid transfer layer, if present,
and/or an acquisition layer, if present, to overlay a portion of
the outer cover 26 and can be bonded thereto by any method deemed
suitable, such as, for example, by being bonded thereto by
adhesive, to substantially enclose the absorbent body 34 between
the outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28. The bodyside liner 28
may be narrower than the outer cover 26, but it is to be understood
that the bodyside liner 28 and the outer cover 26 may be of the
same dimensions, or that the bodyside liner 28 may be of greater
width than the outer cover 26. It is also contemplated that the
bodyside liner 28 may not extend beyond the absorbent body 34
and/or may not be secured to the outer cover 26. It is further
contemplated that the bodyside liner 28 may be composed of more
than one segment of material. The bodyside liner 28 can be of
different shapes, including rectangular, hourglass, or any other
shape. The bodyside liner 28 can be suitably compliant, soft
feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin and can be the
same as or less hydrophilic than the absorbent body 34 to permit
body exudates to readily penetrate through to the absorbent body 34
and provide a relatively dry surface to the wearer.
[0093] The bodyside liner 28 can be manufactured from a wide
selection of materials, such as synthetic fibers (for example,
polyester or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (for example,
wood or cotton fibers), a combination of natural and synthetic
fibers, porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films,
or the like. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not
limited to, rayon, wood, cotton, polyester, polypropylene,
polyethylene, nylon, or other heat-bondable fibers, polyolefins,
such as, but not limited to, copolymers of polypropylene and
polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, and aliphatic esters
such as polylactic acid, finely perforated film webs, net
materials, and the like, as well as combinations thereof.
[0094] Various woven and non-woven fabrics can be used for the
bodyside liner 28. The bodyside liner 28 can include a woven
fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a polymer film, a film-fabric laminate
or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Examples of a
nonwoven fabric can include spunbond fabric, meltblown fabric,
coform fabric, carded web, bonded-carded web, bicomponent spunbond
fabric, spunlace, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. The
bodyside liner 28 need not be a unitary layer structure, and thus,
can include more than one layer of fabrics, films, and/or webs, as
well as combinations thereof. For example, the bodyside liner 28
can include a support layer and a projection layer that can be
hydroentagled. The projection layer can include hollow projections,
such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2014/0121623 invented by Kirby, Scott S. C. et al. In a preferred
embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 includes a bodyfacing surface
that provides an uneven surface at least in the front waist region
12, such as a bodyfacing surface that includes projections as
disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0121623
noted above. Such a bodyside liner 28 provides additional benefits
in softness and assists in cleaning the wearer's skin when the
caregiver uses the pocket 64 of the absorbent article 10 to wipe
the wearer.
[0095] For example, the bodyside liner 28 can be composed of a
meltblown or spunbond web of polyolefin fibers. Alternatively, the
bodyside liner 28 can be a bonded-carded web composed of natural
and/or synthetic fibers. The bodyside liner 28 can be composed of a
substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material
can, optionally, be treated with a surfactant or otherwise
processed to impart a desired level of wettability and
hydrophilicity. The surfactant can be applied by any conventional
means, such as spraying, printing, brush coating or the like. The
surfactant can be applied to the entire bodyside liner 28 or it can
be selectively applied to particular sections of the bodyside liner
28.
[0096] In an embodiment, a bodyside liner 28 can be constructed of
a non-woven bicomponent web. The non-woven bicomponent web can be a
spunbonded bicomponent web, or a bonded-carded bicomponent web. An
example of a bicomponent staple fiber includes a
polyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fiber. In this particular
bicomponent fiber, the polypropylene forms the core and the
polyethylene forms the sheath of the fiber. Fibers having other
orientations, such as multi-lobe, side-by-side, end-to-end may be
used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In an
embodiment, a bodyside liner 28 can be a spunbond substrate with a
basis weight from about 10 or 12 to about 15 or 20 gsm. In an
embodiment, a bodyside liner 28 can be a 12 gsm
spunbond-meltblown-spunbond substrate having 10% meltblown content
applied between the two spunbond layers.
[0097] Although the outer cover 26 and bodyside liner 28 can
include elastomeric materials, it is contemplated that the outer
cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28 can be composed of materials
which are generally non-elastomeric. In an embodiment, the bodyside
liner 28 can be stretchable, and more suitably elastic. In an
embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 can be suitably stretchable and
more suitably elastic in at least the lateral or circumferential
direction of the absorbent article 10. In other aspects, the
bodyside liner 28 can be stretchable, and more suitably elastic, in
both the lateral and the longitudinal directions 32, 30,
respectively.
[0098] Leg Elastics:
[0099] Leg elastic members 44, 46 (labeled in FIG. 1) can be
secured to the outer cover 26, such as by being bonded thereto by
laminate adhesive, generally laterally inward of the longitudinal
side edges, 18 and 20, of the absorbent article 10. The leg elastic
members 44, 46 can form elasticized leg cuffs, 52 and 54,
respectively, that further help to contain body exudates. In an
embodiment, the leg elastic members 44, 46 may be disposed between
the inner layer 50 and outer layer 48 of the outer cover 26 as
shown in the cut-out region of FIG. 1 or between other layers of
the absorbent article 10. The leg elastic members 44, 46 can be a
single elastic member, or each leg elastic member 44, 46 can
include more than one elastic member, such as illustrated herein. A
wide variety of elastic materials may be used for the leg elastic
members 44, 46. Suitable elastic materials can include sheets,
strands or ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or
thermoplastic elastomeric materials. The elastic materials can be
stretched and secured to a substrate, secured to a gathered
substrate, or secured to a substrate and then elasticized or
shrunk, for example, with the application of heat, such that the
elastic retractive forces are imparted to the substrate. Of course,
the leg elastic members 44, 46 can be omitted from the absorbent
article 10 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0100] Fastening System:
[0101] In an embodiment, the absorbent article 10 can include a
fastener system. The fastener system can include one or more back
fasteners 56 and one or more front fasteners 58, with only one
front fastener 58 being shown in FIGS. 1-10. Portions of the
fastener system may be included in the front waist region 12, rear
waist region 14, or both. The front fastener(s) 58 can be the same
material as the material 66, 166, 266, 366, 466 forming the pocket
64, 164, 264, 364, 464, as shown in FIGS. 1-10 however, the front
fastener(s) 58 can be formed from a different material than the
pocket material 66, 166, 266, 366, 466.
[0102] The fastener system can be configured to secure the
absorbent article 10 about the waist of the wearer and maintain the
absorbent article 10 in place during use in fastened configuration,
an example of which is shown in FIG. 3. In an embodiment, the back
fasteners 56 can include one or more materials bonded together to
form a composite ear as is known in the art, such as a fastener
component 60, a stretch component 61, and a hook base 62 (labeled
in FIG. 1). In a preferred embodiment, the fastening component 60
on the back ears 56 is a hook material and the front fastener 58 is
comprised of loop material.
[0103] Waist Elastic Members:
[0104] In an embodiment, the absorbent article 10 can have one or
more waist elastic members, such as rear waist elastic member 42,
which can be formed of any suitable elastic material. The rear
waist elastic member 42 can be in a rear waist region 14 of the
absorbent article 10. Suitable elastic materials for waist elastic
members can include, but are not limited to, sheets, strands or
ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic
elastomeric polymers. The elastic materials can be stretched and
bonded to a substrate, bonded to a gathered substrate, or bonded to
a substrate and then elasticized or shrunk, for example, with the
application of heat, such that elastic retractive forces are
imparted to the substrate. It is to be understood, however, that
the waist elastic member 42 can be omitted from the absorbent
article 10 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0105] An absorbent article including a front waist region
including a front waist edge, a rear waist region including a rear
waist edge, and a crotch region, the absorbent article further
including a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis defining a
horizontal plane when the absorbent article is in a stretched, laid
flat configuration, the absorbent article comprising: an absorbent
assembly including a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an
absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer
cover, the outer cover including a body facing surface and a
garment facing surface; and a pocket disposed in the front waist
region, the pocket including a pocket longitudinal axis, a first
side edge, a second side edge opposite from the first side edge, an
upper lateral edge, a lower lateral edge, and a bottom surface, the
pocket being closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at the
first side edge, the second side edge, and the upper lateral edge,
the pocket being open with respect to the bottom surface at the
lower lateral edge such that when the absorbent article is in the
stretched, laid flat configuration, a vertical gap is provided
between the lower lateral edge and the bottom surface of the pocket
at the pocket longitudinal axis, the vertical gap providing access
to the pocket.
Embodiment 2
[0106] The absorbent article of embodiment 1, wherein the pocket is
formed from a material, the material being gathered prior to
attaching the material to the absorbent assembly to provide the
vertical gap.
Embodiment 3
[0107] An absorbent article including a front waist region
including a front waist edge, a rear waist region including a rear
waist edge, and a crotch region, the absorbent article further
including a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis defining a
horizontal plane when the absorbent article is in a stretched, laid
flat configuration, the absorbent article comprising: an absorbent
assembly including a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an
absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer
cover, the outer cover including a body facing surface and a
garment facing surface; and a pocket disposed in the front waist
region, the pocket including a pocket longitudinal axis, a first
side edge, a second side edge opposite from the first side edge, an
upper lateral edge, and a lower lateral edge, the pocket being
closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at the first side
edge, the second side edge, and the upper lateral edge, the pocket
being open with respect to the outer cover at the lower lateral
edge, wherein a portion of the outer cover forms a bottom surface
of the pocket, the bottom surface of the pocket being elastic near
the lower lateral edge of the pocket such that when the absorbent
article changes from the stretched, laid flat configuration to a
relaxed configuration, the bottom surface of the pocket elastically
retracts to provide a separation between the lower lateral edge and
the bottom surface of the pocket at the longitudinal axis of the
pocket, the separation providing access to the pocket.
Embodiment 4
[0108] The absorbent article of embodiment 3, wherein an elastic
material is coupled to the portion of the outer cover forming the
bottom surface of the pocket.
Embodiment 5
[0109] The absorbent article of embodiment 4, wherein the outer
cover includes an outer layer and an inner layer, and wherein the
elastic material is disposed between the outer layer and the inner
layer.
Embodiment 6
[0110] The absorbent article of embodiment 3, wherein when the
absorbent article is in the stretched, laid flat configuration a
vertical gap is present between the lower lateral edge of the
pocket and the bottom surface of the pocket at the longitudinal
axis of the pocket, the vertical gap providing access to the
pocket.
Embodiment 7
[0111] The absorbent article of embodiment 1, further comprising a
fastening system, the fastening system including at least one back
fastener in the rear waist region and at least one front fastener
in the front waist region, the fastening system configured to
provide a fastened configuration of the absorbent article when the
fastening system is engaged and an unfastened configuration of the
absorbent article when the fastening system is not engaged, wherein
the vertical gap is provided when the absorbent article changes
from the fastened configuration to the unfastened configuration
after the fastening system is disengaged.
Embodiment 8
[0112] The absorbent article of embodiment 1 or embodiment 2,
further comprising a fastening system, the fastening system
including at least one back fastener in the rear waist region and
at least one front fastener in the front waist region, the
fastening system configured to provide a fastened configuration of
the absorbent article when the fastening system is engaged and an
unfastened configuration of the absorbent article when the
fastening system is not engaged, wherein the vertical gap is
present prior to the fastening system being engaged in a fastened
configuration for a first time, and wherein the vertical gap
increases when the absorbent article changes from the fastened
configuration to the unfastened configuration after the fastening
system is disengaged for a first time.
Embodiment 9
[0113] The absorbent article of embodiment 3, further comprising a
fastening system, the fastening system including at least one back
fastener in the rear waist region and at least one front fastener
in the front waist region, the fastening system configured to
provide a fastened configuration of the absorbent article when the
fastening system is engaged and an unfastened configuration of the
absorbent article when the fastening system is not engaged, wherein
a vertical gap is provided between the lower lateral edge and the
bottom surface of the pocket at the pocket longitudinal axis upon
the absorbent article changing from the fastened configuration to
the unfastened configuration after the fastening system is
disengaged for a first time, the vertical gap providing access to
the pocket when the absorbent article is in the stretched, laid
flat configuration.
Embodiment 10
[0114] The absorbent article of any one of embodiments 7-9, wherein
the pocket is formed from a material, the material being extensible
and not elastic.
Embodiment 11
[0115] The absorbent article of any one of embodiments 7-10,
wherein the pocket is formed from a material, the material being in
a pleated configuration.
Embodiment 12
[0116] An absorbent article including a front waist region
including a front waist edge, a rear waist region including a rear
waist edge, and a crotch region, the absorbent article further
including a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis defining a
horizontal plane when the absorbent article is in a stretched, laid
flat configuration, the absorbent article comprising: an absorbent
assembly including a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an
absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer
cover, the outer cover including a body facing surface and a
garment facing surface; and a pocket disposed in the front waist
region and being formed from a material, the pocket including a
first side edge, a second side edge opposite from the first side
edge, an upper lateral edge, and a lower lateral edge, the pocket
being closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at least at the
first side edge and the second side edge, the pocket being open
with respect to the absorbent assembly at the lower lateral edge,
the pocket including a projection in a central region of the pocket
near the lower lateral edge, the projection either being coupled to
the material forming the pocket or being integral to the material
forming the pocket, the projection providing access to the
pocket.
Embodiment 13
[0117] An absorbent article including a front waist region
including a front waist edge, a rear waist region including a rear
waist edge, and a crotch region, the absorbent article further
including a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis defining a
horizontal plane when the absorbent article is in a stretched, laid
flat configuration, the absorbent article comprising: an absorbent
assembly including a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an
absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer
cover, the outer cover including a body facing surface and a
garment facing surface; and a pocket disposed in the front waist
region, the pocket being formed from a material, the pocket
including a first side edge, a second side edge opposite from the
first side edge, an upper lateral edge, and a lower lateral edge,
the pocket being closed with respect to the absorbent assembly at
least at the first side edge and the second side edge, the pocket
being open with respect to the absorbent assembly at the lower
lateral edge, the pocket including a projection coupled to the
material forming the pocket, the projection providing access to the
pocket.
Embodiment 14
[0118] The absorbent article of embodiment 12, wherein the
projection is integral to the material forming the pocket.
Embodiment 15
[0119] The absorbent article of embodiment 12 or embodiment 14,
wherein the upper lateral edge includes a notch, the notch having a
shape that nests with a shape of the projection.
Embodiment 16
[0120] The absorbent article of embodiment 12, wherein the
projection is coupled to the material forming the pocket.
Embodiment 17
[0121] The absorbent article of embodiment 13 or embodiment 16,
wherein the projection extends from the upper lateral edge to at
least the lower lateral edge of the pocket.
Embodiment 18
[0122] The absorbent article of embodiment 13 or embodiment 17,
wherein the projection includes a bonded portion attached to the
material forming the pocket and a non-bonded portion not attached
to the material forming the pocket.
Embodiment 19
[0123] The absorbent article of embodiment 18, wherein the
non-bonded portion is disposed between the upper lateral edge and
the lower lateral edge of the pocket.
Embodiment 20
[0124] The absorbent article of embodiment 18, wherein at least a
portion of the non-bonded portion is disposed between the lower
lateral edge of the pocket and the lateral axis of the absorbent
article.
Embodiment 21
[0125] The absorbent article of embodiment 13 or embodiment 18,
wherein the projection includes a bottom edge, the projection
configured such that the bottom edge is closer to the lateral axis
than is the lower lateral edge of the pocket.
Embodiment 22
[0126] The absorbent article of any one of embodiment 12-18,
wherein the projection includes a bottom edge, the bottom edge
being substantially aligned with the lower lateral edge of the
pocket.
Embodiment 23
[0127] The absorbent article of any one of embodiments 13-22,
wherein the projection is disposed in a central region of the
pocket.
Embodiment 24
[0128] The absorbent article of any one of embodiments 12-23,
wherein the pocket is closed with respect to the absorbent assembly
at the upper lateral edge.
Embodiment 25
[0129] The absorbent article of any one of embodiments 1 or 3-6,
further comprising a fastening system, the fastening system
including at least one back fastener in the rear waist region and
at least one front fastener in the front waist region, wherein the
pocket is formed from a material, the material forming the front
fastener.
Embodiment 26
[0130] The absorbent article of any one of embodiments 2 or 12-24,
wherein the material forming the pocket also forms a front
fastener.
Embodiment 27
[0131] The absorbent article of any one of embodiments 1 or 3-9,
wherein the pocket is formed from a material, the material forming
a portion of the outer cover.
Embodiment 28
[0132] The absorbent article of any one of embodiments 2 or 10-26,
wherein the material forming the pocket forms a portion of the
outer cover.
[0133] All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in
relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of
any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is
prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that
any meaning or definition of a term in this written document
conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document
incorporated by references, the meaning or definition assigned to
the term in this written document shall govern.
[0134] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *